Location and Uses

A Link to the Past

The Pedestal of the Master Sword is situated in the Sacred Grove deep within the Lost Woods in A Link to the Past. In order to draw the Sword, Link must prove himself worthy of wielding it by presenting the three Pendants of Virtue, as instructed in the ancient Hylian text inscribed on the Pedestal of the Master Sword.[7] In order to read this text, Link must use the Book of Mudora to translate the words into legible characters.

After defeating Ganon and saving Hyrule, Link returns the Master Sword to its Pedestal in the hopes that it would rest forever.

Ocarina of Time

The Pedestal of the Master Sword sits behind the Door of Time in the Temple of Time in Ocarina of Time. During the Era of Chaos, Rauru constructed the Temple of Time, placing the Master Sword within its Pedestal. The Sword and its Pedestal were designed to seal the entrance to the Sacred Realm, which housed the Triforce.[4] If the Master Sword is drawn from the Pedestal, the Temple of Time will connect with the Temple of Light at the heart of the Sacred Realm, allowing access to the Triforce.[8]

Following the Hyrulean Civil War, Ganondorf enacted a plot to enter the Temple of Light and steal the Triforce for his own desires. As he was unable to obtain the keys to the Door of Time, the Spiritual Stones, he waited for Link to pass through the Door of Time and draw the Master Sword from its Pedestal.[9] Due to Link's young body being incapable of wielding the Master Sword, his soul was held in the Sacred Realm for seven years.[10] When he awoke, Rauru met with him and explained the status of Hyrule, setting him on his quest to awaken the Sages trapped in the various Temples across the land.[11]

The Wind Waker

The Master Sword and its Pedestal both rest beneath Hyrule Castle in The Wind Waker. Inside the Pedestal, the Master Sword holds the Castle in perpetual stasis, sealing the evil that invaded during the Era without a Hero. After proving himself worthy of wielding the Blade of Evil's Bane in the Tower of the Gods, Link travels to the sunken Castle and draws the Master Sword from its Pedestal. As both the Master Sword and its Pedestal served as the only seal on Ganondorf and his monsters, time began to flow as soon as the Master Sword was drawn.[14]

This Pedestal of the Master Sword does not inherently restore the Power to Repel Evil to the Blade of Evil's Bane, and thus it requires prayer from Sages to imbue the Sword with the power of the gods.[15][16] Knowing this, when Ganondorf escaped from the Sacred Realm in the Era without a Hero, he slew the two remaining Sages, Laruto and Fado. Without any Sages to offer prayers to the gods, the Master Sword slowly lost its power as it sat within the Pedestal of the Master Sword.[17][18][19] Consequently, though Ganondorf was sealed along with Hyrule, its power eventually waned enough for Ganondorf to appear above the Great Sea. During Link's confrontation with Ganondorf after drawing the Master Sword from its Pedestal, Ganondorf explains that in retrieving the Blade of Evil's Bane from its resting place, the seal upon Ganondorf's magic was undone, allowing him to fully regain his power.[20][21] After Ganondorf's defeat atop Ganon's Tower, the Pedestal of the Master Sword is flooded under the waters of the Great Sea along with the rest of Hyrule.

Twilight Princess

The Pedestal of the Master Sword sits in the ruins of the Temple of Time in the Sacred Grove in Twilight Princess. After Link is cursed to permanently be in Wolf form, Princess Zelda instructs him to travel to the Sacred Grove to find the Master Sword.[22] As the Master Sword can banish evil magic, the curse on Link is dispelled immediately as he approaches the Pedestal of the Master Sword, enabling him to withdraw the Sword. After passing through the Door of Time into the past, Link can temporarily return the Master Sword to its Pedestal in order to access the depths of the Temple of Time.

Following Ganondorf's defeat and the destruction of the Mirror of Twilight, the Master Sword is returned to its Pedestal in the Sacred Grove.

Skyward Sword

After Link successfully defeats Demise, the latter is sealed away within the Master Sword. With her role fulfilled, a Pedestal appears within the Temple of Hylia in the distant past and Fi requests that her servitude to Link be concluded by means of driving the Sword into the Pedestal.[23][24] This allows Fi to rest indefinitely within the Master Sword, officially marking the end of Hylia's mission.[25][26] The Pedestal of the Master Sword remains undisturbed through to the end of the Sky Era, containing Demise and Fi's sleeping spirit within the Master Sword. However, at some point, the curse set by Demise allows his evil to escape, eventually allowing him to be reborn and escape from the Master Sword's seal.

At around the age of 12 or 13, Link made his way to the Korok Forest and drew the Master Sword from its Pedestal.[31][32]

Just after the start of the second Great Calamity, Link fell in battle outside Fort Hateno and the Master Sword sustained great damage from fighting against Guardians. The Master Sword then spoke to Zelda, informing her that the HylianChampion could still yet be saved if he is put in the Slumber of Restoration in the Shrine of Resurrection.[33] Instructing Sheikah servants to transport the near-lifeless hero there in her stead, Zelda made her way to the Korok Forest to place it into its Pedestal once so that both the Sword and its master would be revitalized.[34]

After awakening from the Slumber of Restoration, Link can return to the Korok Forest and attempt to withdraw the Master Sword from its Pedestal once more. However, as wielding the Master Sword requires great physical strength, Link is incapable of drawing the Sword from its Pedestal until he has at least 13 Hearts.

Provided The Master Trials DLC Pack is downloaded, after completing the Main Quest, "The Hero's Sword", Link will be telepathically contacted by a Monk who will invite him to the Korok Forest to test the Champion's courage.[35] This initiates the "EX Trial of the Sword" Side Quest. If Link follows the Monk's advice, the Great Deku Tree will greet him and surmise that Link has been summoned for the Trial of the Sword.[36] The Great Deku Tree will explain that in order to fully awaken the Master Sword's power, Link must prove his courage in this Trial.[37][38] Recognizing that Link has accepted the challenge, the Great Deku Tree will advise Link to plunge the Master Sword back into its Pedestal to visit the Sword Monk's Shrine.[39] By completing each stage of the Trial of the Sword, the Master Sword will grow in strength.[40] Replicas of the Pedestal of the Master Sword can be found at the end of each Trial inside the Sword Monk's Shrine. By withdrawing the Master Sword from them, Link can be returned to the Korok Forest to claim the newly-strengthened Master Sword.

Animal Crossing: City Folk

The Pedestal of the Master Sword appears as a part of the Master Sword item in Animal Crossing: City Folk.

Nintendo Land

The Pedestal of the Master Sword appears as part of the Master SwordPrize in Nintendo Land. It serves no purpose other than to house the Master Sword while the Prize is inactive.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf

The Pedestal of the Master Sword appears as part of the Master Sword item in Animal Crossing: New Leaf.

Hyrule Warriors

The Sacred Pedestal sits beyond the Door of Time in the Temple of the Sacred Sword in Hyrule Warriors. Believing Link to be capable of wielding the Master Sword, Zelda directs her troops to the Temple of the Sacred Sword in "The Sacred Sword".[41] There, she, Impa, and Lana deliberate over the potential risks of retrieving the Sword. As it acts as the final seal on Ganondorf's soul, drawing the Master Sword from the Sacred Pedestal will eventually allow a fragment of Ganondorf's soul to escape and rejoin with itself.[42] Despite this, Zelda affirms that the Master Sword is necessary for their mission to regain the Triforce of Power from Cia's grasp.[43][44] Once the Master Sword is retrieved by Link, dark smoke begins to slowly seep out of the Sacred Pedestal. After the events of "Shining Beacon", the smoke causes the chains holding shut the sarcophagus housing Ganondorf's soul to break, allowing him to completely reform.[45]

Following Ganon's defeat in "Liberation of the Triforce", Lana advises Link and Zelda to visit the Temple of the Sacred Sword once more and return the Master Sword to its rightful place.[46] When they arrive, the two discover the Sacred Pedestal still spewing dark energy. Together, the drive the Master Sword into the Pedestal, dispelling the evil energy within.

↑ 4.04.1"I am Rauru, one of the ancient Sages... Ages ago, we ancient Sages built the Temple of Time to protect the entrance to the Sacred Realm... This is the Chamber of Sages, inside the Temple of Light... The Temple of Light, situated in the very center of the Sacred Realm, is the last stronghold against Ganondorf's evil forces. The Master Sword—the evil-destroying sword that you pulled out of the Pedestal of Time—was the final key to the Sacred Realm. Link... Don't be alarmed... Look at yourself...!" — Rauru (Ocarina of Time 3D)

↑"Keep my spirit with you... Find the power of the other Sages, and add their might to your own!" — Rauru (Ocarina of Time 3D)

↑"You destroyed the wicked creatures that haunted the temple and awakened the Sage... But there are still other Sages who need your help. In order to awaken all the other Sages, you must become even more powerful. You must travel over mountains... under water... and even through time..." — Sheik (Ocarina of Time 3D)

↑"If you want to return to your original time, return the Master Sword to the Pedestal of Time. By doing this, you will travel back in time seven years..." — Sheik (Ocarina of Time 3D)

↑"I am a Zora sage. For an age, I offered my prayers here in the Earth Temple, praying that the power to repel evil would ever remain within the Master Sword." — Laruto (The Wind Waker HD)

↑"Link, listen well... The fact that the Master Sword lost the power to repel evil suggests to me that something has happened to the sages who infused the blade with the gods' power. The sages should be here in Hyrule...in the Wind Temple to the north and the Earth Temple to the south, praying to the gods. You must head for these two temples to see what has happened to the sages and attempt to find a way to recover the power to repel evil. Unfortunately, Ganon seems to have erected some sort of magical barrier down here in Hyrule, blocking our path to the temples. But...each temple should have another entrance high upon Hyrule's mountaintops, which are now islands above the sea. As always, I shall mark these places on your Sea Chart. Now then... If we stay here much longer, we shall draw our enemy's attention to Princess Zelda's whereabouts. We must return to the surface immediately!" — King of Red Lions (The Wind Waker HD)

↑"And yet...unfortunately, due to Ganondorf's evil designs, the Master Sword you hold has lost this power." — Laruto (The Wind Waker HD)

↑"After his defeat at the hands of the Hero of Time, Ganondorf was sealed away...but not for all time. He was revived, and he returned to Hyrule in a red wrath. He attacked this temple and stole my soul, knowing that he had to remove the power contained in that enchanted blade. In order to return the power to repel evil to your sword, you must find another to take my stead in this temple and ask the gods for their assistance." — Laruto (The Wind Waker HD)

↑"By the way, boy... When you drew that sword of yours out of its pedestal... Did you by chance notice how all of the monsters frozen in time down there suddenly began stirring again?" — Ganondorf (The Wind Waker HD)

↑"Foolish child. While that sword is indeed the blade of evil's bane, at the same time, it has long played another role... You see, it is also a sort of key...a most wretched little key that has kept the seal on me and my magic intact! By withdrawing the blade, you have broken that seal..." — Ganondorf (The Wind Waker HD)

↑"Master Link, you have successfully protected the goddess reborn and defeated Demise, fulfilling your role as the hero of legend. My purpose here is complete. Therefore, I ask you to dissolve our arrangement as master and servant." — Fi (Skyward Sword)

↑"Drive the sword into the pedestal before you, and I will return to the sword to enter a sleep without end." — Fi (Skyward Sword)

↑"Master, you have achieved the purpose you were chosen to fulfill. Please, set the sword in the pedestal and bring the goddess's mission to an end." — Fi (Skyward Sword)

↑"Listen well, Link. We must turn again to the legend of old for our solution. These abominable events are an echo of what happened all those years ago. Then, when the castle was in the grip of evil, the hero of that day found the Master Sword. The hero first had to claim the three Pendants of Virtue to prove himself worthy of the blade. But there we are already thwarted. For one of those pendants is INSIDE the castle with Princess Zelda!" — Sahasrahla (A Link Between Worlds)

↑"The Master Sword has averted many calamities alongside the hero, and the pedestal that restores the sword from the damage it incurs in those battles is located in Korok Forest, which brims with the energy of the land. Perhaps by design of the Goddess, beside the pedestal a single young cherry tree grew. The young tree bathed in the energy flowing through the land and, after an eternity had passed became the guardian of the blade. How many sacred maidens and heroes opposing countless calamities has this ancient tree witnessed?" (Breath of the Wild – Creating a Champion pg. 229)

↑"It is said that the legendary Master Sword can only be wielded by a hero chosen by the sword itself, and its whereabouts had long been a mystery. The details of how Link obtained the sword a hundred years ago have been lost to the mists of time, but since he was in possession of it for a number of years prior to becoming a Champion, he was likely around twelve or thirteen years old when it happened." (Breath of the Wild – Creating a Champion pg. 376)

↑"A voice from within the Master Sword called out to Princess Zelda after Link collapsed. Zelda was able to hear it because her power had awoken. The sword offered guidance and helped the princess save Link from the brink of death. Though Zelda knew Link would likely lose his memories in the healing process, the sword persuaded her to send the hero to the Shrine of Resurrection." (Breath of the Wild – Creating a Champion pg. 388)

↑"Chosen one... The hero called Link... The time has come. You are now ready to test the limits of your courage. At the place where you reunited with the Master Sword, the sacred Korok Forest... Go there and heed the Great Deku Tree's words. Do so, and a glorious trial will be bestowed upon you." — Sword Monk (Breath of the Wild)

↑"Hm? What's this? A voice beckoned you here? I see. So the time has come. I shall now tell you all I know about the arduous trial that awaits you." — The Great Deku Tree (Breath of the Wild)

↑"This trial shall test your courage to ensure you are worthy of this splendor. It is called the Trial of the Sword. It will challenge you as you have never been challenged before." — The Great Deku Tree (Breath of the Wild)

↑"...Hm. Unless my eyes deceive me, you seem quite willing to take on this trial. A hero through and through! Now, Link... Place the Master Sword in its pedestal." — The Great Deku Tree (Breath of the Wild)

↑"To the one chosen by the sacred blade... I commend your efforts in this trial. You are now strong enough to wield more of the Master Sword's power than ever before. Courageous hero...chosen by the blade... Take hold of the Master Sword." — Sword Monk (Breath of the Wild)

↑"With the Gate of Souls closed in each era, Link and his allies were reunited. Sheik was at last revealed as Zelda, relieving much worry about her fate. Meanwhile, Ganondorf had recovered three of his four spirit fragments. He chose to leave Cia's body, her usefulness at an end. Free of Ganondorf's control but tragically corrupted, Cia resolved to make Link and the Triforce hers and hers alone. Using powerful rituals to strengthen her forces, she redoubled her attacks on Hyrule. But all was not lost. Zelda directed her forces to the Temple of the Sacred Sword in search of the one thing that could save them all..." — N/A (Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition)

↑"Link and his friends defeated Cia and her legions, returning peace to Hyrule. But that peace would be short lived. At the moment when Link drew the Master Sword from its pedestal...he had inadvertently broken the seal on the last spirit fragment's prison, setting it free to unite with the others. His spirit made whole, Ganondorf was reborn. His first act was to return to Gerudo Desert, the center of his power in Hyrule. Once there, he summoned the spirits of Zant and Ghirahim from their imprisonment to serve him. Finally, Ganondorf would hold the complete Triforce in his hands and wield its full power. Knowing his enemies were approaching, he built a stronghold in Gerudo Desert for the coming battles. With Zant and Ghirahim at his side, Ganondorf was poised to conquer Hyrule. The future was was bleak for the forces of light." — N/A (Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition)

↑"There's just one thing left... Return the Master Sword to its place. But I'm not the one who should do that. No matter what, you two always save Hyrule...together." — Lana (Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition)

↑"Can you guess the original concept behind this stone object? [...] That stone object was actually the pedestal where the Master Sword was located in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for Wii." — Countdown to DLC Pack 1: The Master Trials, Zelda.com, retrieved June 25, 2017.

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